How to Potty Train a Miniature Daschund

While the dachshund's clever pluck and brashness is endearing, house training a dachshund can require a bit more patience than some other breeds. You can begin house training your dachshund after 3 months of age, though many dachshunds will still have occasional accidents until they are 8 or 9 months old. You should not expect your dog to hold its waste more than one hour per month of age after 3 months old. In other words, a 5 month old puppy cannot "hold it" for more than 5 hours at a time. Housebreaking a dachshund, or any dog for that matter, requires consistency, patience and positive reinforcement.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog crate
  • Enzymatic cleanser
  • Treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put your dog on a consistent feeding schedule each day to establish a routine elimination of waste. For example, feed the dog, then walk 10 minutes later and again an hour later.

    • 2

      Watch your dachshund vigilantly. Preventing it from eliminating inside the house is the best strategy. Look for signs that your dog needs to go out, such as sniffing, pacing or whining. Don't ignore your dachshund's signals or expect it to wait a few minutes. Your dog is communicating its needs; as a responsible pet owner, you need to respond and addressing the situation immediately.

    • 3

      Crate your dog when you're not home or confine it to a certain room in the house, such as the kitchen or laundry room. Start out by crating your dog for only 20 minutes at a time so it learns to hold it. Dogs generally will not eliminate in the same place they sit unless they have no other options, such as leaving them confined for too long. After the 20 minutes, take your dog out of the crate and do not put the dog down until you are outside. When it does its business, shower the dog with praise and give it a small treat.

    • 4

      Provide your dachshund with a treat each time it eliminates where you want it to go. Even if the dog has already peed eight times on that walk already, praise him and offer a small treat, such as a piece of kibble, each and every time he eliminates outside. You want your dachshund to see eliminating outside as a good action worthy of praise and reward.

    • 5

      Clap your hands at your dog if you catch him doing his business inside the house. The clap should startle your dog enough to stop it from eliminating. Bring it outside immediately and allow it to finish. Praise the dog when it continues to eliminate outside. Use an enzymatic cleaner, available at any major pet store, on soiled areas to erase your dog's scent and prevent it from remarking the same spot. Do not punish your dog by smacking, yelling or rubbing its nose in any accidents you find in your home. Recognize that the accident happened because you failed to supervise the dog or monitor its signals. The dog is unable to make the connection between its accident and why you're punishing it.