Dachshunds have a stubborn streak that makes them resistant to following commands they don't see a reason to follow

Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers and other burrowing animals alone, without a handler directing them. That independent nature is hardwired into the breed. Unlike dogs bred to work closely with humans—retrievers, herding dogs, spaniels—dachshunds were selected for the ability to make their own decisions underground. This means a dachshund is more likely to decide when and where to go to the bathroom based on what feels right to them, not because you've asked them to.

This isn't laziness or spite. It's the same trait that makes them excellent at their original job. But it also means they need a different training approach than breeds that naturally want to please. A dachshund will learn the house rules, but they'll do it on their own timeline, not yours.

Key Takeaways

  • Dachshunds were bred to hunt independently, so they naturally resist following commands they don't see a reason to follow.
  • Their small bladder size means they physically need to go out more often than larger breeds, making accidents more likely during training.
  • Dachshunds have a lower pain threshold and can develop anxiety around potty training if corrected harshly, which makes accidents worse.
  • Consistency matters more with dachshunds than with other breeds because they test boundaries and will revert to old habits if the routine changes.
  • Most dachshunds take 4 to 6 months to reliably housetrain, compared to 8 to 12 weeks for more eager-to-please breeds.

Small bladder capacity means more frequent accidents, not just stubbornness

A dachshund's body is built long and low to the ground. That shape comes with a proportionally small bladder. A dachshund puppy can physically hold urine for only about one hour per month of age—a three-month-old can hold it for roughly three hours. Adult dachshunds typically need to urinate every 4 to 6 hours, which is more often than larger breeds.

This matters because it means you can't train a dachshund the same way you'd train a golden retriever. A retriever might be fine going out four times a day. A dachshund needs five or six trips outside, especially during the first four months. If you're not taking them out frequently enough, they're not being stubborn—they're physically unable to hold it. That accident on the kitchen floor isn't a training failure; it's a schedule failure.

Even adult dachshunds do better with more frequent outdoor breaks than you might expect. Many owners find that moving from four daily outings to five makes a significant difference in reliability.

Dachshunds are sensitive to harsh correction and develop anxiety instead of learning

Dachshunds have a lower pain threshold and a more sensitive temperament than many other breeds. When a dachshund is corrected harshly—yelled at, hit, or rubbed in an accident—they often develop anxiety around the act of going to the bathroom itself, not understanding that the location was the problem. An anxious dachshund may start hiding to urinate, holding it until they're desperate, or becoming afraid of going outside.

This backfires. An anxious dachshund is harder to train, not easier. They may start sneaking accidents in corners or under furniture because they're afraid to go in front of you. Positive reinforcement—treats, praise, and celebration when they go outside—works much faster with this breed than any form of punishment.

If your dachshund has already developed anxiety around potty training, it can take weeks of patient, reward-based work to undo. Prevention is much simpler: never correct a dachshund for an accident after the fact, and avoid raising your voice during training.

They test boundaries and will revert to old habits if the routine changes

Because dachshunds were bred to make independent decisions, they're natural boundary-testers. Once they understand the house rules, they'll follow them—but only if the rules stay consistent. A change in routine, a new person in the house, a move to a different home, or even a shift in your schedule can trigger a relapse.

A dachshund that was reliably housetrained for months might suddenly start having accidents if you change their feeding schedule, switch to a new food, or start working longer hours. They're not forgetting what they learned. They're responding to the change by testing whether the old rules still explore. If you slip on consistency—letting them on the couch one day and not the next, or skipping an outdoor break because you're busy—they'll notice and push back.

This is why dachshund owners often report that their dog was housetrained, then wasn't, then was again. It's not random. It's the breed's nature to re-evaluate the rules whenever something shifts.

Dachshunds have a higher rate of incontinence and urinary tract issues

Beyond behavior, dachshunds are prone to certain physical problems that complicate potty training. Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)—a condition where discs in the spine deteriorate—is common in the breed because of their long spine. IVDD can affect bladder control. A dachshund with early-stage IVDD may seem housetrained one week and have frequent accidents the next, not because of training failure but because of nerve damage affecting their ability to hold urine.

Female dachshunds are also more prone to spay incontinence, where they leak urine involuntarily after being spayed. This isn't a behavioral issue and can't be trained away. If your dachshund was reliably housetrained and suddenly starts having accidents, especially if they're older or recently spayed, a veterinary checkup is the first step, not stricter training.

Urinary tract infections are also more common in small breeds and can cause frequent, urgent urination. If your dachshund suddenly needs to go out much more often than usual, or seems to strain while urinating, contact your veterinarian before assuming it's a training problem.

The timeline for dachshund housetraining is longer than for other breeds

Most dachshunds take 4 to 6 months to become reliably housetrained, with some not reaching full reliability until 8 to 12 months. This is significantly longer than many other breeds. Part of that is the small bladder and frequent need to go out. Part of it is the independent temperament. Part of it is that dachshunds seem to mature more slowly in this area than larger dogs.

This doesn't mean something is wrong with your dachshund or your training. It's normal for the breed. Setting realistic expectations from the start—understanding that you're committing to 4 to 6 months of frequent outdoor breaks and consistent routine—makes the process less frustrating. Many owners who expect housetraining to take 8 to 12 weeks (the timeline for easier breeds) become discouraged when their dachshund isn't reliably trained by month three. Knowing the breed standard helps you stay patient through the actual timeline.

Frequent outdoor breaks and absolute consistency work better than any other approach

Because of the small bladder and independent nature, the most effective housetraining method for dachshunds is a combination of frequent outdoor breaks and unwavering consistency. This means taking your dachshund out first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, before bed, and at least two or three times in between. It means the same person handling the routine whenever possible. It means the same door, the same spot outside, and the same command every time.

Crate training works well with dachshunds because they naturally don't want to soil their sleeping space, and the crate enforces the frequent outdoor schedule. A dachshund should never be left in a crate longer than they can physically hold their bladder—for puppies, that's one hour per month of age; for adults, no more than 6 to 8 hours.

Reward-based training—when ready praise and treats when they go outside—is essential. The reward needs to happen within seconds of them finishing, so they understand what behavior earned it. Delayed praise doesn't work as well with this breed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my dachshund housetrained if they haven't had an accident in two weeks?

Not necessarily. Two weeks is a good sign, but dachshunds often have longer stretches without accidents, then regress. Most trainers consider a dachshund reliably housetrained after 4 to 6 weeks of zero accidents, combined with consistent outdoor breaks. Even then, changes in routine can trigger temporary setbacks.

Why does my housetrained dachshund suddenly have accidents again?

Check for physical causes first: urinary tract infection, spay incontinence, or early signs of IVDD. If your vet rules out medical issues, look for routine changes—new schedule, new food, stress, or inconsistency in outdoor breaks. Dachshunds revert to old habits when the rules shift. Returning to strict consistency usually resolves it within a few days.

Can I housetrain a dachshund faster by punishing accidents?

No. Punishment typically makes housetraining slower and harder with this breed. Dachshunds develop anxiety around going to the bathroom when corrected harshly, which leads to hiding to urinate and sneaking accidents. Positive reinforcement—treats and praise for outdoor elimination—works much faster.

Do male and female dachshunds housetrain at the same rate?

Generally yes, but female dachshunds are more prone to spay incontinence after being spayed, which can cause ongoing accidents that aren't a training issue. Males don't have this complication. If your female dachshund was housetrained and suddenly has frequent accidents after spaying, talk to your vet about management options.

What's the difference between a dachshund puppy and an adult dachshund taking longer to housetrain?

Puppies need more frequent outdoor breaks because their bladders are smaller, but they often learn the routine faster once they're physically capable of holding it. Adult dachshunds adopted from rescues may take longer because they're adjusting to a new home and new routine. Patience and consistency work for both, but the timeline varies.