Potty Training Your Dachshund
Potty training a Dachshund can be a really big challenge for most doxie parents. Trust me, if you put in the time and effort now, it will help your puppy be a more obedient dog in the future.
Potty training your Dachshund involves learning the puppy potty clues, puppy-proofing your home, and using the correct training steps daily to help reduce the stress of potty training.
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Visit the Vet
If your Dachshund puppy has worms or a parasite in their system, it may cause unpredictable accidents, which they can’t help. Get your puppy dewormed and vaccinated right away.
When Should I Potty Train My Dachshund Puppy?
Start potty training the day your doxie comes home. The earlier, the better!
Don’t let your Dachshund puppy exclusively use puppy pads indoors. This can cause confusion and delay the training process.
Help them get used to going potty outside while they are young pups.
Puppy Potty Training Week By Week
8-11 Weeks Old: At this age, your puppy will need to go potty several times per hour. See our list of puppy potty clues (below) to let you know when they need to go outside. Their little puppy bladders can’t hold much, so going outside and using the puppy pads inside will help.
12-14 Weeks Old: Continue letting your puppy out when they show you those puppy potty clues and plan to let them out every hour.
14-16 Weeks Old: Let your puppy out every 2 hours. They can hold it for a little longer now.
16-18 Weeks Old: Let your puppy out every 3-4 hours. After this age, let them out every 4 hours.
The ultimate goal is to have your Dachshund potty trained by the time they are 6 months old.
If You Aren’t Home During The Day
I understand, letting your puppy outside several times a day can pose a challenge for those who work outside the home. Here are some suggestions to help you if you can’t let your puppy out during the day.
Best Time Of Year To Potty Train
The best time of year to bring home and potty train a Dachshund puppy is during the warm spring or summer months. It is the most ideal time for housetraining success – Trust Me!
Avoid getting a new puppy during the cold winter months. Dachshunds hate cold weather and that can delay their potty training quite a bit.
Puppies aren’t fully in control of their bladder until about 4-6 months old. When they have an accident prior to this age, it isn’t their fault.
Puppy Potty Training Gear
Puppy Gates
Use puppy gates to close off any rooms you don’t want the puppy to visit. Keep your puppy in a section of the home that has easy to clean floors, like a mudroom or kitchen. A room with tiled or vinyl flooring is best.
In my home, the Carlson Walk Through Pet Gate works perfectly! It has a latched doorway so you don’t have to climb over it.
Don’t forget a retractable puppy gate for your stairs! This will help prevent your pup from climbing up and falling down those steep steps.
Puppy Playpen
I set up a playpen in the kitchen for my Dachshund puppy, Eko. Puppy playpens create the perfect designated play space for your doxie. I used this playpen (from Amazon) for my kids when they were little and now I use it for my puppy, Eko.
If you don’t have enough room in your kitchen for a playpen, you can use a waterproof washable dog pad or pick up a piece of scrap vinyl flooring at the hardware store and place the puppy playpen on top. This allows you to place it anywhere with an easy to clean floor underneath.
The playpen area allows you to put your puppy in a safe space when it is time to take a nap or even a much needed “time out” when puppy teething and chewing gets out of control.
Puppy Pads
You can use old newspapers or puppy pads at the beginning of your puppy’s potty training, but they are not to be used exclusively. As your puppy improves their housetraining, start to gradually take the puppy pads away.
Hard To Gate Areas
Any area your puppy loves to chew, hide, or pee in needs to be gated off. Sometimes it is hard to cover all of your entrances, dangerous electric cords, etc… I like to use those large science fair boards or thick project poster boards to cover those areas. It works, and it’s cheap.
Puppy Potty Training Step by Step
When your puppy wakes up in the morning, carry them outside immediately. Say the word “Out” as you exit the door.
Place your puppy in the designated potty area outside and stand still. Let your puppy circle around you to find the perfect potty place.
Important: Don’t play or socialize with your dog, this is potty time only.
Say “Pee Pee” or “Poop” and point to the grass. Make sure they are listening and focused on your words.
Do not repeat these words 100’s of times, this will only confuse them.Let your dog sniff around for 3-5 minutes. If your pup doesn’t go potty, pick them up and put them back into their playpen. Try again when they show potty signs.
Do not let them loose in the house, they didn’t do their job.
If your puppy does go potty outside, praise them with “Good” and give them a small treat and go back inside.
Don’t stay and play.Be consistent every day! Take your puppy out to potty every time they eat, when they wake up, and after playtime.
Check the Potty Training Week By Week for ages and recommended times.This is KEY! If you don’t have eyes on your puppy, they need to be in their puppy gated area or playpen.
Don’t allow them to wander around freely. They will have accidents all over your home.
Nighttime Potty Training
Sleep is going to be a little sparse for the next couple of weeks, but believe me, all of this hard work will pay off. If your puppy is crying all night in their pen or crate and you aren’t getting any sleep, Stop!
Here’s what I do: I put my puppy’s bed and blanket in my bed. It helped him calm down, we were both able to sleep, and he let me know when he needed to go potty.
Don’t worry, this is only temporary. After your puppy is fully potty trained, you can wean them into their own doggie bed on the floor or where ever you would like them to sleep.
What To Expect During Nighttime Potty Training:
- 8-10 Weeks Old: Dachshund puppies will need to go potty outside 1-2 times per night.
- 11 Weeks Old: They will need to get up 1 time each night.
- 12 Weeks Old: They usually can sleep through the night, but will need to go potty early in the morning.
Puppy Potty Training Clues
Predictable Potty Times
Puppies have predictable elimination times. Everyday, take them out to potty when:
- They wake up
- After eating
- After exercise or play
- Before they go to bed at night
Puppy Potty Clues
If you spot your puppy doing any of the following, take them outside:
- Stops current activity and sniffs the ground
- Turning around in circles
- Looking nervous
- Whimpering
Puppy Potty Training Tips
Designate Yard Area
Designate a potty spot in the yard for your puppy to do their business, preferably with the least amount of noise or distractions.
Don’t let your doxie roam the entire yard during the potty training process. They will start to understand what they need to do when you take them to that same spot every time for pees and poos.
If your doxie is puppy pad trained: You can take the pad to the designated potty area outside to help encourage your pup to start going potty outside instead of inside on the puppy pad.
Watch Carefully, Move Quickly
Watch your puppy closely! If you notice your puppy showing any of the potty clues above, take them outside fast. If you catch them mid pee or poo, pick them up and take them outside, even if they are still going.
Try not to get upset, just put the puppy outside in the potty spot and give them praise.
This will help them realize where they are supposed to go potty. Trust me, this method does work if you keep at it.
Don’t Let Them Roam
When an accident happens in your home without you noticing, don’t get upset. Puppies don’t understand why they can’t go potty inside. Try to be more attentive next time.
If you aren’t able to watch your puppy, don’t let them roam freely around your home. Always keep them in their gated area or playpen when you can’t watch them like a hawk. It is up to you to keep on top of them to make sure their training is successful.
Unnecessary Punishment
Punishment during the housetraining phase may prolong your dog’s training time and make it more difficult than it has to be. The old methods of sticking your puppy’s nose in their accidents are gone. Use positive reinforcement instead.
Praise And Reward
When your puppy does go potty outside, verbally praise them with “Good” and give them a small dog treat. Then, take the dog immediately inside the house.
Your Dachshund will begin to connect going potty in the designated yard spot with getting a positive reward and returning to the house.
This doesn’t happen overnight, it does take time. Be consistent even if it doesn’t feel like they are getting the hang of it – keep going!
Hire Help
I get it, many folks work outside the home and can’t let their puppy outside all day long. But, letting your pup outside consistently everyday during these first several weeks is key to potty training success!
If you are unable to let your dog out during the day, get some help. You can search online for local dog walkers, pet sitters, or doggie daycare in your area. You can also check out some phone apps like Rover or Wag.
Daily walks and potty breaks during the day will help your doxie remain calm while you are away.
They Can’t Hold It
Your Dachshund should not have to “hold it” for more than 4 hours at a time, at any age. That’s right! Even as an adult Dachshund, they will need to be let outside every 4 hours to maintain good potty training skills.
Making your Dachshund hold it all day or allowing them to have an accident in the house because you are gone too long will undo their potty training and cause serious separation anxiety issues.
Think About It: I know that I can’t “hold it” for 8-9 hours without using the bathroom, a dog shouldn’t be expected to hold it that long either.
Note: Always keep your puppy in a gated area or playpen when they aren’t fully being watched 100%.
Clean It Up
When your Dachshund puppy has an accident inside, thoroughly clean up the spot right away. Your pup will want to re-mark that same spot going forward if the smell remains.
Use a pet odor neutralizing spray from Amazon instead of a “deodorizer”. It is recommended to use a pet mess cleaner with the “enzyme” in it to get rid of any traces of strong smelling urine.
Note: Accidents are a part of the learning process.
The puppy doesn’t understand. Be patient and ask yourself, how can I prevent this next time?
Use A House Line
When potty training is going well and you feel like your doxie is ready to do a little more roaming, have your puppy wear a house line or lead. You can use a regular leash that can be attached to the belt loop of your pants or free to drag behind them.
It is helpful to have a house line to grab onto in case your puppy grabs something they shouldn’t – like a pill or your socks. You can use the house lead to redirect them to a toy that they are allowed to chew.
Never yank or pull hard on your doxie’s house line. Dachshunds are prone to IVDD and need to be treated gently.
Potty Privacy
Some doxies prefer to do their business at a distance from their owners – and that’s ok. As long as you keep a close eye on them or have a longer leash to give them some more space, that works fine.
When I was potty training my puppy, he had no issue with urinating near me when I set him in the grass, but when he had to poo, he would wander a few feet from me before relieving himself.
Potty Training Regression – Watch out!
Here it is! This is what really makes your Dachshund puppy different than the other dog breeds.
Dachshund puppies are famous for potty training regression around 4-5 months old.
Potty training regression is when they have been potty training super stars for weeks and then all of a sudden there are a few days in a row when the accidents just keep rolling in – out of nowhere.
All of my Dachshunds did this when they were puppies. Unfortunately, this is the point when many doxie parents give up.
But, believe it or not, you are about to cross the finish line my friend. Keep up with the potty training, and even take a couple steps back and be more on top of your pup when they start having potty accidents again.
Don’t Give Up
You will have good days and many bad days. It is part of the learning process. Be patient, this stage doesn’t last forever if you do it right. If you give up too easily, the training will never stick.
Bonus Potty Training Tip
When you doxie is fully potty trained, take them on a 20-minute walk BEFORE you leave for the day. This will help reduce any accidents they may have while you are gone.
Also, consider hiring a dog walker to give your dog a much needed potty break and a relaxing walk during the day.
Apartment Potty Training
Potty training a new puppy in an apartment is a whole different ball game. Check out our post on Apartment Dachshunds for some helpful tips.
Crate Training A Dachshund Puppy
Note: Never use your dog’s crate as a punishment. Crates are designated as the dog’s safety zone. You want them to love their crate and not feel anxious about being confined.
1. Crate Size And Placement
Choose a crate that gives your pup plenty of room to move around, but not too much room to allow potty accidents.
Place your Dachshund puppy’s crate near the most active room in your home. Your pup wants to see you and your family.
Put a safe chew toy in the crate with your pup to help them stay entertained and calm. Avoid putting any towels or blankets in the crate with your pup, they will get peed on.
You can give them a blanket or towel to lay on when potty training comes to an end or just for bed time at night.
2. Entering The Crate
To entice your dog to enter the crate, place a small dog treat in the front of the crate. Don’t shut the door, leave it open.
Gradually move the treat towards the back of the crate and allow them to exit after they eat it. It may take several tries over the next couple of days to get them to be comfortable with entering the crate.
When they do enter the crate, give lots of verbal praise. Be patient and never force your puppy inside the crate.
3. Food Bowl In Crate
Place your dog’s food bowl near the front of the crate. Sit with your pup while they eat. This helps your pup feel more comfortable during mealtime in the crate.
Keep the crate door open during this phase.
The ultimate goal is to have the bowl move towards the back of the crate gradually and having the dog feel comfortable eating inside the crate.
Once they are inside the back of the crate and eating without trying to escape, gently shut the door of the crate. Stick around and watch them eat to make them feel safe. Let your puppy out of the crate when they are ready.
4. Repeat
Repeat this training over the next several days leaving the door shut on the kennel for a little longer each time while you are nearby.
Finally, start leaving the room while they are in the kennel for a few minutes at a time. Your training is complete when you are able to leave the room for about 30 minutes without your dog getting upset.
Set a timer so that you can keep track of time. Depending on your puppy’s age, keep track of how often they need to go outside to potty.
When you perform your crate training gradually, this allows your pup to feel safe in his crate and teaches him when you leave, you do eventually come back.
Issues With Crate Training
If your puppy continues to have accidents or panic attacks in the crate, STOP using the Crate.
Crate training is a good option for some Dachshunds, but not all.
My Dachshund puppy, Eko, didn’t like his crate. He was petrified to go near it, even with yummy treats inside. I never forced him in, I just looked for an alternative.
The puppy playpen was the perfect solution for Eko! It is open on top and can be resized…which in my opinion, is better than a kennel or dog crate. You don’t have to purchase multiple kennels as your dachshund grows.
I kept my puppy’s playpen large so I could sit inside with him. This really helped him feel calm while in the playpen.
Why Is My Dachshund Still Peeing Inside?
Still having issues with potty accidents inside? If you are not able to watch your puppy the whole time, don’t let them wander around. They need to be in a kennel or a play pen to avoid accidents.
Let your pup outside to go potty often and keep visiting the same potty area in the yard to stay consistent. Reward your doxie, keep things positive, and keep going – even if it gets tough.
Bonus Tip:
If you are truly struggling to get your doxie to do their business outside, you can try using a puppy potty attractant spray (from Amazon). This works for some, not all, but it is worth trying! The attractant spray helps to entice your pup to go potty where the scent is.
Why Is Potty Training A Dachshund Challenging?
All dog breeds have their unique quirks. Well, prolonged potty training is one of the Dachshund’s famous quirks. If you have tried the steps above and still are not seeing any progress, don’t give up!
Dachshunds are hunting dogs. There are lots of distracting sights, sounds, and smells out there!
All of their senses are literally enhanced when they step outside. Concentrating on going potty is the last thing on your Dachshund’s mind.
And let’s not forget one of the other well known quirks of the Dachshund – the stubborn attitude. This usually comes later in life, but it’s something to keep in mind when your pup’s training suddenly changes.
That is why a Dachshund’s potty training takes a little longer than other dog breeds.
We want to hear from you! What methods do you use to potty train a Dachshund? Let us know in the comments.
Helpful Links:
References:
- 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.
we just got our 9 week old puppy. she refuses to poop out side…she (at times ) will pee outside. i do crate but t she poops in her cratee even in a small enough space to just turn around and stand up in. It is cold outside now and she wears a sweater but refuses to poop outside. help please
Hi, yes, potty training a puppy when it’s cold outside can be extra hard and stressful. It’s ok that things aren’t going as planned – she is Very Young, and this is to be expected during the learning process, it does take time.
Keep up a scheduled routine of always checking with your pup, taking her outside, even if she keeps having accidents inside. Make sure to use a gated area or playpen to keep her from making messes on your carpets, when she isn’t being watched 100%.
Here is a really nice playlist of videos on puppy crate training to help you (by mcCann dogs). Note: my dachshund puppy did much better in a puppy playpen than a crate. If the crate training isn’t working, try a playpen instead. Crate training isn’t for all puppies.
If your dachshund puppy just won’t do her business outside – ‘because it’s too cold outside’, it just isn’t worth the stress. Many doxie parents just use an indoor dog potty or puppy pad train their little ones until it’s nicer weather outside.
It is up to you, do what will help you and your puppy feel less stressed and have some enjoyment together.
If we work full time and need to leave the puppy home for a few hours , can we put a potty pad in the play pen then ? She is only 11 weeks old . And we have wood floors throughout, I read not to put anything down on the ground . What about the large washable puppy pads ?
Hi, yes you can put the potty pad washable or disposable in the playpen. If your pup chews up the disposable, just use the washable pad instead. If you are away for more than a couple of hours, consider getting a dog walker or a friend to let your pup out to potty to keep up the potty training. Being so young, she won’t be able to hold it for more than 1-2 hours and letting her just go potty inside while you are gone may delay her potty training.
hi, i have two mini dachshund puppies and im using a baby pack n play as a playpen for them, i’ve wanted to crate train them separately (two different crates) but im not sure on the size i think a 21’ is to big, we are still working on potty training your tips on that have helped me see more into owning a dachshund. anyways mine are 10 weeks old and i’m struggling big time with them at absolutely everything.
Hi There! Your two dachshund puppies must be super cute. I brought my dachshund, Eko, home when he was 10 weeks old. So, that is when his potty training just started – that is a nice age, but still very young. Your 2 pups will likely bond and pay more attention to each other than their owner.
Training can happen, but it will take a bit longer than usual with just one pup.
Here are some tips on how to train two pups at the same time.
Double check with your vet on the kennel size per your doxie’s size. They do need room to grow, but you don’t want it too big so they will have more accidents.
I like to use the playpen instead of the kennel. Starting it at a small 4×4 size and then resizing it as the dachshund grows bigger.
Also, make sure if you leave your home for the whole day, have them let out for potty time every 4 hours (after they have been fully potty trained and are able to hold it at the right age). Good Luck with your little doxie pups.
Hi there! We have a 4 month old mini longhaired dachshund. She has an accident in the crate at least once a day. She is only in the crate for 2-3 hours at a time. We ruled out UTI and any other medical related issue with the vet. My husband thinks it could be she hears us, wakes up, and pees, but I am not sure what else to do.
Hello Vanessa, 4 months old is still a pretty young pup. Dachshund puppies will take a bit more patience and time to fully potty train or crate train than other dog breeds. She may not be able to hold it for the 2-3 hours yet. If she is having the accident while you sleep, have a crate in your bedroom so you can hear her wake up and take her outside when she starts stirring. If she is having the accident while you are away from your home, have someone let her outside every couple of hours until she is fully potty trained. If you believe it may be the crate, switch her over to a puppy playpen instead. My dachshund prefers a playpen over a crate. Unfortunately, after the dog has messed in the crate, the scent is tough to really clean out, so they end up remarking it. Also, here is a really helpful video to help with puppy potty training: 4 Reasons Why Your puppy is still having accidents in the crate
Really struggling with toilet training, but reading your positive stories is inspiring me to keep going
Hi Mel, So sorry things are feeling tough. I totally understand that puppy potty training can feel stressful. I’m so glad to hear that you are pushing through. You can do this! Some days it will feel like things are going backwards…and that is totally normal. Just roll with it. Your pup will get it. It does take time and patience. Thank you for your nice compliment on my post. Have a wonderful day.
What can I do to stop poo eating? Yuck! My girl is ten weeks old and the vet said mix a little pumpkin into her food daily. If I don’t grab with the dog or the poo by the time it hits the ground or floor, she’ll grab it and eat it like it’s the best snack ever! Help please.
Hi Alice, yes, some dachshunds will do this. I would suggest getting a pooper scooper and grabbing it up right when she is done.
If she is too quick for this, then offer her a small dog treat right away… right up to her nose to reward her after she goes potty…That way she is distracted from eating the poo.
Adding some pumpkin puree is a nice idea to for some probiotics and omegas in her diet, so that is also a win-win.
I read a little more on this from AKC.org. Their theory is that the pup may be missing some nutrients from her diet… which is also why some dogs will eat dirt. Here is some more info on that and they suggest adding some vitamins to her diet:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-dogs-eat-poop/
I have a 3 mo old dashound I just can’t seem to get her to potty outside I keep a potty pad in the kitchen she does pretty good on that but when I let her in to the front room where we are at she will pee on the carpet I have tryed about everything to get he to go outside or even back to the potty pad I don’t like leaving her in the kitchen all the time
Hi Dixie, Dachshund puppies do take a little longer to potty train than other dogs. Keep at it, even when it seems like it isn’t working. Sometimes taking the scent of the pee (from a ‘used’ pee pad) outside to help her mark the scent can help. Also, if she starts going on the carpet, pick her up…mid-pee and take her outside where she is supposed to go. Then say good and reward. Even if she did most of it inside, this act will help her understand that she gets positive praise when she goes potty outside.
Also, plan on letting her outside to potty every hour during the day. Do this until she gets better at her potty training. Keep some small treats in your pocket or a little baggie to keep handy when she does go outside for positive praise.
Keep her in the playpen / kitchen gated area if she isn’t being watched. If you are watching her and have her with you, get ready to move quick, when she starts to sniff the ground, get her outside quick.