House training a dachshund is considered to be more difficult than house training other dogs. However, with patience and vigilance, you can housebreak a dachshund in only a few weeks with minimal accidents. Use a method called the "direct" method, which only requires dog treats and newspaper.
Things You'll Need
- Dog treats
- Newspaper
Instructions
Watch your dachshund while inside for any warning signs that he may have to relieve himself. These signs include sudden sniffing around the floor or leaving the room abruptly. Since dogs associate smells of past accidents with where to go in the future, they often sniff around to locate the same spots.
Take your dachshund immediately outside if he exhibits either of these actions. It's also a good idea to take him outside immediately after eating. Once the dachshund is outside, ignore him until he relieves himself. If it takes longer than 15 minutes, let him back inside and wait for 40 minutes, or until he begins acting suspicious.
Reward the dachshund with his favorite treats and ample praise when he relieves himself outside. Associate happiness and tasty food with urinating or defecating outside. Repeat this method until the dachshund wants to go outdoors on his own.
Scold the dachshund severely if he relieves himself indoors, but do not strike or hurt him. Never scold him once outside, only immediately after he relieves himself indoors, and not more than five minutes afterward. If you wait any longer, he won't relate the scolding with the accident.
Soak up as much urine as possible from the indoor mess with a newspaper. Place the newspaper outdoors in a location where you want the dachshund to relieve himself. Continue watching for signs and taking the dachshund out regularly. Ensure that he sees and recognizes the urine on the newspaper, as it will increase his urge to relieve himself on it.