Instructions
Use positive training methods when you are working with your dog, such as clicker training. Reward your dog for good behavior and redirect bad behavior. A dog that is constantly berated for misbehaving loses confidence and becomes intimidated by its owners or other people. Enlist the help of a professional trainer and enroll the dog in obedience classes to improve its confidence. The more the dog is socialized the more confident it becomes.
Invite a dog-savvy friend to come over and help you socialize your dog. Positive experiences with different people will boost the dogs confidence. It may be intimidated by new people but the more it meets friendly individuals the more confident it will be with other new people. Have the friend calmly praise and pet the dog. Increase the amount of attention each visit.
Exercise the dog every day for at least an hour by walking the dog in different locations. The dog will see new surroundings, people and other animals as you walk and will become desensitized to normal sights and sounds. This improves a dog's confidence because it isn't overwhelmed by the world around it.
How to Make a Dachshund More Confident
Dachshunds are usually confident dogs but some dachshunds are intimated by their surroundings. This can be caused by a lack of early socialization, bad breeding or abuse from previous owners. However, a dachshund will gain confidence through positive training and slowly gaining new experiences. Dog trainers and behaviorists are excellent resources in cases of extremely shy dogs.