How to Train a Dachshund to Potty on a Puppy Pad

House-training a dachshund puppy takes patience and consistency. Dachshunds are sometimes stubborn, but can be trained just as any other puppy. You may wish to train your dachshund to use a puppy pad in cold weather, if you don't have immediate access to the outdoors or if you're gone often enough that the puppy will need a potty break before you get home. Puppies can usually be taught later to eliminate outside instead of using a pad.

Things You'll Need

  • Puppy-training pad
  • Treats
  • Collar
  • Leash
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Select a location for the puppy training pad. If you want your puppy to eventually do its business outside, place the pad on the floor in the vicinity of the door you will use. Otherwise, put it wherever it makes the most sense. Several layers of newspaper could be substituted for the pads.

    • 2

      Tape down the corners of the pad if you find your puppy likes to play with it. Blue painter's tape works well for this. If the puppy still won't leave the pad alone, tape down the sides.

    • 3

      Place your puppy on the training pad immediately after it wakes from a nap, after eating and playing, and any time it walks in circles with its nose down or gives other indications it needs to eliminate. Use a word or two like "go potty" every time you want your puppy to use the pad. Eventually, it'll associate the word or phrase with urinating and defecating and may even go on command, which is useful when you and your puppy are away from home.

    • 4

      Praise your puppy with your voice, petting or treats if it uses the pad. Use positive reinforcement whenever possible. If your puppy has an accident, either say nothing or firmly say "no," and take it over to the pad. Praise your puppy if it uses the pad. Do not rub your puppy's nose in its own waste or make a big deal out of an accident. Remember that your puppy is still learning and it's bound to take some time before it catches on to what you want. Your training must be consistent or your puppy will become confused. Let other people in your household know what your training methods are so they can follow them as well.

    • 5

      Leash your puppy and attach the other end of the leash to you or something nearby, as recommended by the Humane Society of the United States, so you know what your puppy is doing at all times. Put your puppy in a crate when no one can watch it. Once your puppy consistently uses the pad, give it some freedom to roam, one room at a time.

    • 6

      Move the training pad gradually closer to your outside door if you'd like your puppy to learn to do its bathroom duties outside. Once the pad is sitting next to the door, encourage your puppy to go outside instead of using the pad. It won't be long before the pad won't be necessary.