Dachshunds are harder to housetrain than most breeds, but consistency and patience work
Dachshunds have a reputation for being difficult to potty train, and that reputation is earned. They are independent, easily distracted, and have small bladders that fill quickly. But they are not impossible. The difference between success and failure is usually consistency — taking your dachshund out on a fixed schedule, rewarding every outdoor bathroom visit when ready, and confining them to a small space when you cannot watch them. Most dachshunds can be reliably housetrained by four to six months old if you start at eight weeks and do not skip days.
The core challenge is that dachshunds forget rules faster than other breeds and will test boundaries if they sense inconsistency. A dachshund trained by one person in one household may regress completely if the routine changes or a second person takes over without following the same steps. This is not a reflection on the dog — it is how the breed is wired. Plan for the process to take longer than it would with a golden retriever or a lab, and plan for setbacks if your schedule becomes irregular.
Key Takeaways
- Take your dachshund outside first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, after play, and before bed — at least six times daily for puppies under four months old.
- Reward outdoor bathroom visits within seconds with high-value treats (small pieces of chicken or cheese work better than kibble) and when ready praise.
- Confine your dachshund to a crate or small pen when you cannot supervise, because dachshunds will not soil their sleeping area if the space is small enough.
- Never punish accidents after the fact; punishment teaches fear, not bladder control, and dachshunds are sensitive to harsh correction.
- Expect the process to take four to six months of consistent routine, and plan for occasional regressions if your schedule changes.
Establish a fixed outdoor schedule starting at eight weeks
Puppies under four months old cannot hold their bladder for more than two to three hours, so you need to take your dachshund outside at least six times daily: first thing when you wake up, after breakfast, mid-morning, after lunch, late afternoon, after dinner, and before bed. Set phone reminders if you live alone or share the household with others who might forget. Write the schedule on a whiteboard in the kitchen so everyone follows the same times.
Take your dachshund to the same spot each time — the same corner of the yard, the same patch of grass at the park, the same fire hydrant on your street. Dogs develop a preference for familiar bathroom locations, and the scent of previous visits triggers the urge to go. Stay outside for five to ten minutes. If your dachshund does not go within that window, bring them back inside and try again in thirty minutes. Do not let them play or explore during potty breaks; that comes after they have finished their business.
As your dachshund gets older, you can gradually extend the time between outings. By four months, most dachshunds can hold it for three to four hours. By six months, four to five hours. By one year, most can wait six to eight hours, though many dachshunds never become comfortable holding it longer than that. Adjust your schedule to match your dog's actual capacity, not a breed average.
Reward outdoor bathroom visits within seconds
The moment your dachshund finishes urinating or defecating outside, give a treat and praise. The timing matters enormously. If you wait thirty seconds, your dachshund will not connect the reward to the bathroom visit — they will think they are being rewarded for standing around or sniffing the grass. Carry high-value treats in your pocket: small pieces of cooked chicken, cheese, hot dog, or liver. Regular kibble does not work; it is too boring and too similar to their regular meals.
Use the same phrase every time — "good potty" or "outside potty" — so your dachshund learns to associate that phrase with the behavior. Say it while they are going, not after. This teaches them what you are rewarding. After a few weeks, many dachshunds will go on command when they hear the phrase.
Do not use the same treats for other rewards. If your dachshund gets chicken for sitting or coming when called, they will not understand why chicken is special for bathroom visits. Reserve your highest-value treats for outdoor potty only, at least until the behavior is solid.
Confine your dachshund when you cannot watch them
Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, and dachshunds are no exception. Use this instinct by confining your puppy to a crate or small pen whenever you cannot supervise them directly. 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.
Most dachshund puppies can hold their bladder for one hour per month of age, plus one — so a two-month-old can typically hold it for three hours. If you work eight hours a day, you will need a dog walker or a midday break to let your puppy out. Leaving a young dachshund confined for longer than they can hold it teaches them that accidents are acceptable, and you will be starting over.
When you let your dachshund out of the crate, take them directly outside to their bathroom spot. Do not let them play first. After they go, then playtime and interaction are fine. This reinforces that outdoor bathroom comes before everything else.
Handle accidents without punishment
Accidents will happen. Dachshunds are stubborn and sometimes forget the rules, or they get excited and lose bladder control. When you find an accident, do not yell, hit, or rub your dachshund's nose in it. Punishment after the fact teaches fear and confusion, not bladder control. Your dachshund will not understand why you are angry; they will only learn that bathrooms are scary and that you are unpredictable.
Clean the accident thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner (Nature's Miracle and Rocco & Roxie are common brands). Regular cleaners leave scent traces that dogs can smell, and those traces tell your dachshund that spot is an acceptable bathroom. Enzymatic cleaners break down the urine compounds so the scent is truly gone.
If you catch your dachshund in the act of having an accident indoors, interrupt calmly — a straightforward "no" or "outside" — and take them directly to their outdoor spot. If they finish outside, reward them. This teaches them that bathrooms belong outside, not that they are in trouble.
Adjust for dachshund stubbornness and sensitivity
Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers alone, which means they are independent and do not naturally defer to authority. They also have sensitive temperaments and do not respond well to harsh corrections or raised voices. If your dachshund is regressing or refusing to go outside on schedule, the problem is usually inconsistency or a change in routine, not defiance.
If your dachshund suddenly starts having accidents after being reliable, consider whether anything has changed: a new person in the household, a change in your work schedule, a move to a new home, or even a change in the time you take them outside. Dachshunds are creatures of habit, and disruption can trigger regression. Return to the original schedule and routine as closely as possible.
Some dachshunds are also sensitive to weather. If it is raining or very cold, your dachshund may refuse to go outside. Do not force them; instead, create a covered outdoor area or use an umbrella. Some owners train their dachshunds to use a designated indoor potty pad as a backup during extreme weather, though this can confuse the housetraining process if not done carefully.
Transition from frequent outings to a sustainable adult schedule
By six months, most dachshunds can go four to five hours between outings. By one year, you can usually move to a four-times-daily schedule: morning, midday, evening, and before bed. Some dachshunds are comfortable with three times daily by adulthood, though many owners find four times works better for their dog's temperament and bladder.
Do not rush this transition. If you move to a longer schedule too quickly, your dachshund will have accidents and you will have to go backward. Watch for signs that your dog is ready: staying dry through the night, showing no signs of urgency during the day, and going reliably when taken outside. Once those signs are consistent for two to three weeks, you can try extending the time between outings by thirty minutes.
Even as adults, dachshunds often need more frequent bathroom breaks than larger breeds. This is partly because of their small bladder size and partly because of breed temperament. Plan your adult schedule around your dachshund's needs, not around what works for other dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it usually take to housetrain a dachshund?
Most dachshunds can be reliably housetrained by four to six months old if you start at eight weeks and maintain a consistent routine. Some take longer, especially if the routine is interrupted or inconsistent. A few dachshunds remain unpredictable into their first year. The breed is slower to housetrain than many others, so patience is essential.
Can I use puppy pads to speed up the process?
Puppy pads often slow down housetraining because they teach your dachshund that indoor bathrooms are acceptable. If you use them, keep them in a designated area away from your living space, and transition away from them as soon as your dachshund can hold their bladder longer. Most trainers recommend skipping pads entirely and going straight to outdoor training.
What should I do if my dachshund regresses after being housetrained?
Regression usually signals a change in routine, a new stressor, or a medical issue. Check whether anything has changed in your schedule, household, or environment. If nothing has changed, contact your veterinarian to rule out urinary tract infections or other health problems. Once you have ruled out medical causes, return to the frequent outdoor schedule and treat the regression as if you are starting over.
Is crate training necessary for housetraining a dachshund?
Crate training is not strictly necessary, but it is the fastest and most reliable method for dachshunds. The alternative is constant supervision and when ready outdoor access, which is difficult for most households. If you choose not to use a crate, you will need a pen or a single confined room where accidents are acceptable, and you will need to be present and watching at all times.
Why does my dachshund refuse to go outside in bad weather?
Dachshunds are small and close to the ground, so rain and cold affect them more than larger dogs. Some are also naturally sensitive to weather. Create a covered outdoor area, use an umbrella, or put a dog coat on your dachshund. If your dog still refuses, do not force them; instead, wait for a break in the weather or adjust your schedule to times when conditions are better.