How to Potty Train a Dachshund (It's Not Impossible, I Promise)
Potty training a dachshund takes 4 to 6 months of consistent scheduling, positive reinforcement, and breed-specific adjustments — particularly skipping the puppy pads and watching for their famously subtle body language. Standard puppy-training advice was written for Labradors. Dachshunds are a different animal entirely.
You know what nobody tells you when you bring home a dachshund puppy?
That the single hardest thing about owning one isn't the back stuff. It isn't the vet bills. It isn't even the barking.
It's the potty training.
I've lost count of how many messages I've gotten that basically amount to: "How the hell do you housetrain these things?"
And I get it. I really do.
Because dachshunds have earned a reputation as one of the hardest breeds to housetrain. You'll see that claim on breed forums, Facebook groups, Reddit threads — basically anywhere dachshund owners gather to commiserate.
But here's the thing most people miss.
It's usually not the dog. It's the approach.
As the Dachshund Health UK site puts it: "In practice, this is often down to how the owner has gone about the process rather than the breed being difficult."
That's not a dig at you. It's actually good news. Because if it were the dog, you'd be stuck. But if it's the approach? You can fix that tonight.
Why Are Dachshunds So Hard to Potty Train?
They're not dumb. Let's get that out of the way right now.
Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers underground — alone, in the dark, making life-or-death decisions without a human anywhere nearby. The AKC describes them as "clever" and "courageous to the point of rashness."
That independence is the exact thing that makes them incredible.
It's also the exact thing that makes potty training feel like negotiating with a tiny, furry diplomat who has zero interest in your agenda.
A Labrador wants to please you. A dachshund wants to know what's in it for them.
So when standard training advice says "take your puppy outside and wait," a Lab sits down and goes. A dachshund looks at you, looks at the grass, smells something interesting three yards away, and then comes back inside and pees on your rug.
It's not defiance. It's prioritization.
The other factor nobody mentions? Size.
A dachshund puppy has a bladder the size of a walnut. The general rule — about one hour of holding capacity per month of age — means your 8-week-old dachshund can hold it for maybe two hours. Maybe.
And dachshund bladders aren't fully developed until 4 to 6 months old. Those early months require more patience than most people expect.
How Long Does It Take to Potty Train a Dachshund?
About 4 to 6 months of consistent work for most dachshund puppies.
Some owners report it clicking at 3 months. Others grind through 8 months before it sticks. Both are normal.
The AKC notes that small breeds often have more housetraining challenges than larger breeds — and dachshunds fit that pattern exactly. Smaller bladder, higher metabolism, less obvious signals.
Expect a regression around 4 to 5 months, too. Your puppy will seem like they've got it figured out, then start having accidents again like the first week never happened.
Don't panic. That's normal. Go back to the basics and tighten the schedule for a week or two.
The owners who fail are the ones who give up at month three.
The Schedule That Actually Works
Here's the thing about potty training a dachshund: you're not training the dog to go outside. You're training yourself to get them outside before they need to go.
The schedule:
- First thing in the morning. Before coffee, before your phone, before anything. Pick them up and go straight outside.
- After every meal. Puppies usually need to go within 15 to 20 minutes of eating.
- After every nap. And dachshund puppies nap a lot.
- After every play session. Excitement speeds everything up.
- Every 1 to 2 hours in between. Yes, really. For puppies under 4 months.
- Last thing before bed.
When you're outside, go to the same spot every time. Give a simple command — "go potty," "do your business," whatever you pick — and use it every single time. Stand still. Give them 3 to 5 minutes. If nothing happens, go back inside, restrict their access, and try again in 15 minutes.
When they go? Praise like they just discovered a cure for something. Treats, happy voice, the whole show. Dachshunds are food-motivated to their core — use that.
And when they have an accident inside — because they will — clean it up silently with an enzymatic cleaner. Regular cleaners don't break down the scent markers, so your dog can still smell the old spot and thinks, "Ah, the bathroom."
No yelling. No nose-rubbing. No drama.
As Dachshund Health UK puts it: clean up the mess, watch the body language, and make sure they get plenty of praise next time they go outside.
Punishment doesn't teach a dachshund where to go. It teaches them to go where you can't see them — behind the couch, under the bed, in the closet. And now you've got a hiding problem on top of a potty problem.
What Are the Signs a Dachshund Needs to Go?
This is where it gets tricky.
Big dogs pace. Big dogs stare at the door. Big dogs whine.
Dachshunds? Dachshunds give you a look.
Their signals are genuinely harder to read than most breeds, partly because they're small and partly because they're subtle. Dachshund Health UK recommends watching for circling and sniffing the floor — those are often the only warning you'll get.
Other signals to watch for:
- Suddenly stopping play and sniffing around
- Walking in small circles
- Squatting slightly (by the time you see this, you've got about two seconds)
- Heading toward a corner or a previously soiled spot
- Sitting by the door and staring — if you're lucky, because not all dachshunds do this
Some owners train their dachshund to ring a small bell hung on the door handle. It actually works well for the breed. It gives them a clear action that produces a clear result, which appeals to their problem-solving wiring.
The more you learn your specific dog's pre-potty behavior, the fewer accidents you'll clean up. It's that simple.
What About Puppy Pads?
Skip them.
I know that sounds harsh, especially if you live in an apartment or you're gone during the day. But puppy pads teach your dachshund that going to the bathroom inside the house is acceptable — and then you have to un-teach that.
Dachshund Health UK is direct about this: "Putting puppy pads down indoors simply reinforces the idea that going to the toilet in the house is what you want your puppy to do."
If you absolutely need an indoor option — an apartment without a yard, a physical limitation that makes frequent trips outside difficult — use a designated potty box with synthetic grass. It's a closer simulation of the real thing and causes less confusion.
But if you can get outside? Get outside. Every time.
Why Does My Dachshund Refuse to Go When It's Raining?
Because they're 8 inches off the ground and their entire belly gets wet.
This isn't stubbornness. This is physics.
Dachshunds are low-riders. Rain hits them differently than it hits a German Shepherd. Their chest, belly, and legs are all in the splash zone. Most dachshunds genuinely dislike cold rain — and on a short-coated dachshund in January, going outside can feel like punishment, which is the opposite of what you want.
Some things that help:
- A dog raincoat that covers the belly, not just the back
- A covered potty area — even a large patio umbrella over their usual spot
- Going out during breaks in the rain, even if it's off-schedule
- Keeping the trip short and focused: out, potty, praise, back inside
Anyways... don't skip the outdoor trip entirely. If you give in and let them go on a pad because it's raining, you've just taught them that rain equals indoor bathroom privileges. And dachshunds remember that deal forever.
Does Crate Training Help With Potty Training?
Possibly more than any other single thing.
Dogs naturally avoid soiling the space where they sleep. A properly sized crate — big enough to stand, turn around, and lie down, but not so big they can potty in one corner and sleep in the other — taps into that instinct.
The crate isn't punishment. It's a management tool that prevents unsupervised accidents while you build the schedule habit.
The rules:
- Never leave a puppy crated longer than their bladder can hold — one hour per month of age, max
- If you work full days, arrange a midday break. A dog walker, a neighbor, a lunch trip home.
- Take them directly outside the moment you open the crate door
- Make the crate comfortable: a bed, a chew toy, a blanket to burrow under
If your dachshund is soiling their crate regularly, the crate may be too big, they may be left too long, or there could be a medical issue worth discussing with your vet.
When Should I Call the Vet About Potty Training?
Most potty training struggles are behavioral, not medical. But sometimes they're not.
The AKC recommends a veterinary evaluation for any dog that remains difficult to housetrain despite consistent training. Persistent house soiling can signal a urinary tract infection, digestive issue, or other medical problem that no amount of scheduling will fix.
Signs that warrant a vet visit:
- Sudden regression after weeks of solid success, especially in an adult dog
- Straining or visible pain while urinating
- Unusually frequent urination
- Blood in urine or stool
- Accidents during sleep — this can indicate a medical issue, not a training failure
Rule out the body before you blame the brain. Always.
FAQ
At what age should a dachshund be fully potty trained?
Most dachshunds are reliably housetrained between 6 and 12 months of age, though some may need consistent reinforcement up to 18 months. The timeline depends more on the consistency of your schedule than on the dog's ability — dachshunds learn fast when the system is clear.
Can you potty train an adult dachshund?
Yes, though it may take longer if indoor habits are already established. The protocol is the same: consistent schedule, positive reinforcement, enzymatic cleanup, no punishment. Adult dachshunds have the advantage of a fully developed bladder, but breaking an existing habit takes patience and a reset to the basics.
Should I use a bell for potty training my dachshund?
Bells work well for dachshunds specifically. Hang a small bell at nose height on the door you use for potty trips. Tap it with their paw or nose each time you go out, then praise and treat. Dachshunds are problem-solvers — they pick up cause-and-effect quickly when food is involved.
Why does my dachshund pee when guests arrive?
Excitement or submissive urination is common in small breeds and puppies. It's involuntary — your dog isn't choosing to do it. Keep greetings calm and low-key, ask visitors to ignore the dog for the first minute, and take them outside before guests arrive. Most puppies outgrow this by about 12 months.
Is it normal for potty training to take 6 months or more?
Completely normal for a dachshund. The breed's independence, small bladder, and subtle signaling mean they need more repetitions and a tighter schedule than many other breeds. Consistency wins — not speed.
If you want a daily dose of Dachshund love — the stories, the tips, and the occasional unsolicited opinion — you're in the right place.
(The Doxie Report is written for entertainment and general education. It's not veterinary advice. When your dog's health is in question, call your vet.)
