Commands To Teach Your Dachshund

5 Easy Commands to Teach Your Dachshund

Updated 05/10/2024 by Ava Jaine

Dachshunds can be trained!  Don’t listen to the doggie critics out there.  Teaching your Dachshund some basic dog training commands is easy to do and can be fun too.

We will cover the following training commands to teach your Dachshund: Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Touch, and Separation Anxiety Training.

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Table Of Contents

When To Start Training a Dachshund

You can begin teaching your Dachshund basic training commands as early as 8-10 weeks old, and you can keep reinforcing those skills throughout their senior years.

Dachshund Training Preparation

Dachshunds are super quick at picking up training commands, but let’s face it, their attention span can be shorter than their adorable legs! So, to make sure your little long dog’s training goes smoothly, you’ve got to do some prep work.

First off, find the perfect spot indoors for training, get those tasty treats ready, and keep sessions short and sweet! With a bit of preparation, you’ll be amazed at what your Dachshund can learn.

Location:

Whether you are working with a Dachshund puppy or a senior doxie, the trick to successful training is minimizing distractions and keeping their attention on you.

Look for quiet spots, like an enclosed hallway or a small room indoors for your training sessions. Steer clear of rooms with too much going on or noisy backgrounds.

Heading outdoors for training might seem like a good idea, but trust me, the sights, smells, and sounds can easily divert your pup’s focus away from you.

Stick to a calm and controlled environment indoors for better results.

 

Dog Treats:

Purchase some delicious dog training treats that your Dachshund can’t resist.  A dog treat that is soft and can be broken up into smaller pieces is perfect for a good training session.

My Dachshund puppy, Eko, and my senior dog, Bastian, love training time because of the yummy treats and the one-on-one time with me! (Pictured below)

These dog treats are perfect for training!  My doxies can’t resist the taste.

dachshund puppy sitting next to a senior dachshund

Repetition and Timing:

It is recommended to do your dog command training a couple of times per day for about 2-3 minutes per session. 

Don’t go too far beyond this amount of time or your pup may stop paying attention.

Concentrate on one training command per week.  Once they excel at that command, start a new training command the following week.  Keep it simple so they don’t feel overwhelmed.

Patience:

Out of all the Dachshund training tips that I share with fellow doxie parents…Patience is key!  Some pups catch on really quick, but others may take extra time to get the command down pat. 

Understand that this is all part of the learning process. No matter how long each command takes for your doxie, they will enjoy training with you – if you keep it positive!

When training your Dachshund, maintain a calm and cheerful tone. Avoid using firm disciplinary tones when giving commands.

Your dog will find training much more enjoyable when you use a friendly voice.

 

Commands To Teach Your Dachshund

Mini Dachshund learning the sit command

Teach a Dachshund to Sit

The Sit command is a great place to start with your doxie.  Have about two tablespoons of dog training treats cut into small pieces and ready to go.

How to Train a Dachshund to Sit:

  • Position your dog directly in front of you.

  • Hold the treat at nose level and slowly move it to the back of their head.

  • If your dog sits, verbally praise with “Good” and give a small treat.
  • If your dog doesn’t sit, give a gentle push on their hindquarters to help them sit.
  • Say “Good” and give them a treat.
  • Repeat this process a couple of times.

  • If they don’t seem to get it, stop and try again later.

  • If your pup is sitting with no problem, move on to the next step.
  • Say “Sit,” then move the treat behind their head.
  • When your dog sits down, praise with “Good” and give a treat.
  • Repeat these steps, and start to hold the treat a little further away from their head.
  • Work towards just saying the word “Sit,” the dog sitting down, giving praise and treat.
  • When your doxie has the basic sit command down, try to have them remain in that position for a couple of seconds before rewarding with a small dog treat.  Gradually work your way up to have them sit for 8-10 seconds.
  • It is recommended to do this training a couple of times per day for about 2-3 minutes per session.
  • Optional Hand Motion: I added in a hand motion to go along with my verbal “sit” command.  My puppy Eko seems to really respond well to this.  When I stand in front of him, I say the word “Sit” and I show him my hand facing down / parallel to the floor.

  • Need a visual? Check out our Video Guide on YouTube: Teaching your Dachshund the Sit Command.

Teach a dachshund to sit video guide
 

Training Tip:  The moment that your dog performs the desired command, give them praise and a small treat.  Using positive reinforcement keeps them happy and engaged.

Dachshund learning the down command

Teach a Dachshund to Lay Down

After your Dachshund has mastered the “Sit” command, move on to the “Down” command.

  • Sit on the floor in front of your dog.
  • Have your dog in the “Sit” position.
  • Hold the treat in front of their nose, move the treat down to the ground and start to go under their chest.
  • If your pup lays down, say “Good” and give a treat.
  • Repeat this process, if they lay down a couple times in a row, move on.  If not, stop and try again later.
  • Now, say “down,” then move treat down and under their chest.
  • If your pup lays down, give verbal praise and the treat.
  • Stand up and say “down,” and move the treat in your hand towards the ground.
  • If your pup lays down, say “Good” and the treat.
  • When practicing the down command, gradually increase the time that the dog is laying down from a couple of seconds, up to about 8-10 seconds.  It is recommended to do this a couple of times per day for about 2-3 minutes per session.

  • Optional Hand Motion: I also added in a hand motion to go along with my verbal “down” command.  When I stand in front of my Dachshund, I say the word “down” and I point my index finger down and lower it to the floor.

 

Training Tip: If your training session is not going as planned, go back to the command that your Dachshund learned before and end your session in a positive way.

Dachshund learning the stay command

Teach a Dachshund to Stay

Teaching a Dachshund to Stay should be taught in two parts.  The first part can be taught in one week, then try the second part the following week.

  • Part One:

  • Start your Dachshund in the “Sit” position, facing you.

  • Show the palm of your hand to your dog (like a stop sign) and say “Stay.”
  • Count 2 seconds.
  • If your pup stays, praise “Good” and give a treat.
  • Repeat and increase your count to 3 seconds, 4, 5, etc…up to 30 seconds.
  • Practice this for 1 week, then move onto part 2.

  • Part Two:

  • Have your dog in the “Sit” position.

  • Take a couple of steps backwards, say “Stay.”
  • If your pup stays, walk towards your pup, give praise and a treat.
  • Start to back away from your dog a little further each time and have them “stay” a few more seconds.

  • Take your time with this one and gradually work up to a longer and more distant “Stay.” 

    The “Stay” command may take some extra practice, and that’s OK, your doxie will love this one-on-one time with you.

 

Teach a Dachshund to Come

There are two ways to teach the “Come” command.  Try both of them to see which one your doxie responds to the most.

  • “Come” Command #1:
    You and a partner sit down and face each other on opposite sides of a hallway or an enclosed room, about 5 steps apart.

  • Call your doxie by their name, if they come to you, praise “good” and give a treat.
  • Have your partner do the same.
  • Do this back and forth game a few times.
  • You and your partner can spread out a little more.
  • Do the back and forth game again, but add in “Come” after your dog’s name.
  • If they come to you, praise “good” and give a treat.

  • “Come” Command #2:
    Have your dog “Sit” in front of you.

  • Tell them “Stay” and show them your the palm of your hand.
  • Take a few steps away from your dog (still facing them) and say “Come” in a happy voice.
  • If your dog comes to you, verbally praise them and give a treat.
  • It is recommended to do this a couple of times per day for about 2-3 minutes per session.  Over time, increase the distance between you and your dog little by little.
Dachshund learning the touch command

Teach a Dachshund to Touch

Saving the best for last, the “Touch” Command is so much fun and super easy!

  • Sit on the floor with your pup in front of you.
  • Have your treats cupped in one hand, hiding them behind your back.
  • Show your empty hand to your doxie, palm out, fingers facing down.
  • If your doxie touches your palm, praise with “Good,” give a treat.
  • Repeat several times before moving on.
  • Once your doxie gets the hang of it, say “touch” when you present your hand to them.
  • If your doxie touches your palm, praise with “Good,” give a treat.
  • Change up your position and your hands occasionally to keep them interested.

  • Need a visual? Check out our Video Guide on YouTube: Teaching your Dachshund the Touch Command.

video cover showing dachshund performing the touch command
 

Post Training Tip

After your Dachshund dog has mastered a few dog training commands, the next step is to change it up. Gradually add in some minor distractions to help firm up their commands.

Do their training in a room with some background noise. Change your location…you can even start trying the commands outside at this point. Also, have a different person give the commands.

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Dachshund Separation Anxiety

Dachshunds are faithful dogs who love their pack (family members).  They don’t like to be left alone! So, training a Dachshund to be alone can be one of the toughest things to teach.

Providing your doxie with Separation Anxiety Training will help them learn that when you leave your home, you will be back and they don’t need to worry or be destructive.

Dachshunds who have separation anxiety will act out in the house because of their instinct, not because of behavioral issues.  Punishing them for this act will not do any good.  Only use positive reinforcement when training your Dachshund.

Read More Details on Separation Anxiety Solutions.

K9 training institute for dachshund training help

Need Training Help?

If you would like some professional help to train your Dachshund for separation anxiety issues, excessive barking, leash pulling, or any unwanted doxie behaviors, I recommend the online dog training program K9 Training Institute. 

The K9 Training Institute link is an affiliate link and I will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no cost to you.

 

We hope you enjoyed these Dachshund training tips. Remember, it doesn’t matter if your little long dog is young or old, learning a new command just takes a little time, patience, and some yummy treats to achieve great success.

What Dog Training Commands Does Your Dachshund Know? Let Me Know Below.

Teach a Dachshund to Sit Video Guide

Commands To Teach Your Dachshund Video Guide

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Helpful Links:

Sources:

  • Schweitzer, Karen. 2010. Our Best Friends the Dachshund. Pittsburg, PA: Eldorado Ink.
  • Pinney, Chris. 2010, 2000.  Dachshunds: A Complete Pet Owner’s Manual. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.